W.W.&F. Discussion Forum
WW&F Railway Museum Discussion => Work and Events => Topic started by: Skip Breyfogle on December 11, 2014, 02:52:19 PM
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What are the dates for the Spring Work Weekend? I know this is early but need to make some long range plans. Thanks.
SB
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The museum's 2015 calendar says Friday through Sunday, April 24th through 26th. I think it's always the last full weekend of April.
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Some of the projects in the works for SWW:
* Putting stone on the Top of Mountain track, and getting the run-around finalized.
* Painting the restrooms and garage
* Digging up the water spigot in Bay 3 and replacing it - the old one leaks constantly.
* Splitting wood for the steam engine(s) - with hydraulic splitter, hopefully.
* Repair snow-plow damage to the car shop.
* Raise planking on car barn scafolding.
More to come...
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I intend to arrange a weekday crew to finish the switches at ToM and get them fully functional. That way work weekend efforts can focus on the labor intensive tasks up there. We hope ToM will be in service after April Wirk Weekend- if so we'll immediately shift the routine runaround to there.
There will be no 9 work during work weekend- but I'm not sure what yet.
See ya
Jason
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How about sanding and painting the water tower spout?
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Good idea.
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Spot the boxcar under the spout as a work platform.
Don't forget to turn the water off!
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OR.... if needed, bring the soap and shampoo - but it will probably will be a VERY quick shower. ;D
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I've heard Zack and Fred talking about it - set up the scafolding and start working on it in place. They may be thinking on a week day, since doing that would block the yard.
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Aw, you guys are no fun at all. Use the boxcar, and have No. 52 standing by to move it into the clear if necessary.
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52 should be on the north end of the line shuttling stone
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No steam on the work train? That's too bad!
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There probably will be, some of the time. I'm going to work up an operating plan this week.
Jason
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I suspect that Mike's post mentioning "shuttling stone" means that 52 will travel between EOT and Alna Center (AC) with loads of stone that are loaded at AC and shoveled into place at EOT. Steam would probably be used to bring volunteers and occasional visitors to AC. From AC the volunteers would reach EOT by riding atop the stone piles. Can anyone confirm?
-John
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Possibly on Saturday. I've been thinking of another plan whereby each 10 and 52 would have a stone car, and would alternately use the main between AC and ToM. This would provide a near continuous supply of stone. I've yet to run numbers (time numbers) but I'd like to do this Friday afternoon and most of Saturday, possibly sending 10 down to catch the 3 public scheduled trips on Saturday.
See ya
Jason
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I've heard Zack and Fred talking about it - set up the scafolding and start working on it in place. They may be thinking on a week day, since doing that would block the yard.
Not to over-think this but.....(when do we ever do that???)
A suggestion is to take it down so we can really de-rust it, i.e. serious sanding with a power tool, otherwise it will be rusty again next year. Or sand blast it if that is available.
It should also get a coat of rust-inhibiting primer before a couple of top coats.
Unfortunately if we need water for 10 that won't be possible, since we're also planning to fix the faucet in bay 3 and so the fire hose won't be available either.
Other than making up a temporary spout, perhaps it should be a mid-week job??
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I think we've got a few days in April and most of May available between 10's operation for the Spring Work Weekend and the first Memorial Day weekend trains, so mid-week work may not be necessary.
-John M
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I'll be up from Thursday through Saturday or Sunday this week if this is something that could be tackled. Then it would be ready to go by next week.
Steve
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I want to let people know, we have a great supply of nails, spikes, bolts, and oil,oil,oil.,so don't buy any!
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Any Car Barn work planned?
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We need dry ground in order to get a crane in to lift the roof rafters. Right now it's pretty muddy, so it may not be until May or even June before we do that.
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We also want to repair the damage done to the southeast corner of the shop/car barn building by a snowplow. Also, if the ground is walkable on the east side of the new car barn, the staging has to be raised to the new working height. The cleats are already in place. The planking just has to be lifted. All in all, there should be plenty of projects to keep everyone busy.
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A couple years ago the C&TS built a similar-sized/designed pavilion as a short-trip summer dining/entertainment venue 14-miles from Chama on Cumbres Pass, used mostly by weekly kids trains.
Its identical gable roof trusses went up in a day or two by four workers and a truck crane, was quickly completed.
To raise the Car Barn staging, I'd lay old plywood or planks over the mud, get after it ASAP. ;)
The Alna weather post shows steady, above-freezing temps, 50s and 60s highs for the next week.
Hopefully, Mr. Snow is leaving town rapidly. ;D
Ain't spring great?
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Work Weekend Volunteers: Protect Yourself from Ticks!
Recent articles (see links given below) in the Bangor Daily News by outdoor life columnist George Smith (no relation) have warned about Maine’s worsening problem of tick-transmitted diseases such as Lyme, and more recently, some new ones that appear to be even worse.
Suggestions for reducing the chance you’ll be bitten: 1) Fold trouser bottoms snugly around your ankles and then tuck them inside your socks. 2) Use repellant containing DEET. 3) Check exposed ski and hair often for ticks. 4) Once home or back to motel, etc. check you whole body for ticks.
http://georgesoutdoornews.bangordailynews.com/2015/04/17/environmental-issues/lyme-disease-breaks-out-at-the-maine-legislature/
http://www.georgesmithmaine.com/articles/georges-outdoor-news/march/2015/harry-vanderweides-long-battle-chronic-lyme-disease/
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Agreed Steve,
Today I got my first tick, so they are out up here.
jkb
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The national weather forecast for Maine for the work weekend seems to suggest a damp time. Does the local forecast share that same dismal suggestion or will there be blazing sunshine and dry weather? I always bring enough gear to cover all the bases (hot to cold, wet to dry) but I was just wondering.
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Hi Duncan,
Our local forecasters show a chance of rain everyday through Sunday.
Breakdown:
Friday is partly cloudy with a 20% chance of showers, Saturday is 50% chance of afternoon/evening showers, Sunday's chance of rain is 40%. Temps will be in the 55 degree range each day and in the upper 30's each night. There may be periods of sun on Friday and Sunday.
As you said, dress for rain and sun. Good boots and layered clothing is suggested.
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Hopefully its a dry weekend, but lets try not to let a early forecast dampen our spirits. Its seems lately this has been there forecast, to show a chance of rain every day, and then if it doesn't rain then no one gets mad.
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Volunteers can check the weather on our local NBC affiliate: www.wcsh6.com
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I'll be bringing my rain gear. That usually keeps the rain away...
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Hey Bill, I'll check back with you on the weekend and we can see how that worked. I'm rooting for your method and hope it works.
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Work Weekend plug in the press:
https://www.centralmaine.com/2015/04/21/railway-museum-seeks-new-volunteers/ (https://www.centralmaine.com/2015/04/21/railway-museum-seeks-new-volunteers/)
My favorite line:
The major project is completion of the track work at Top of Mountain that was started at the fall work session, according to a news release from the church.
I guess we are the religion of the narrow gauge.
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Update - Weds, April 22nd (Work Weekend day 1?)
Much work done today by 12 members to get things ready for Friday.
* #9 Bell: a new clapper stem and striker was made for the reworked bell and the bell was tested fitted in the yoke.
* #10 New springs were installed in the tender truck and truck put back under the locomotive. Some of the work included forge time reworking the swing link spring hangers and installing new brass bushings.
* Much work getting the house ready for preparing and serving meals over the weekend.
* Both flatcars were loaded with ballast stone for TOM.
* RC4 received fuel line work, a battery charge and re-installation of the turntable. Fuel was added, the railcar started and test run in the yard.
* The brookville's battery was charged, the engine started and the loco moved over to bay 1.
* Big Joe's battery was charged and the tamper was moved over to bay 2.
* Switching included moving coach 3 into the south end of bay 3.
* Rolling stock received it's quarterly journal inspection and oiling.
* Garage and restroom - 4 gallons of gray stain/paint arrived for use on the back of the garage and restroom (weather permitting)
*** Latest forecast -
Clouds and possible showers are still in the forecast but the chance of rain for Fri-Sun has been revised down to 20% with the better chance for sunshine.
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Today - Thursday, April 23rd:
* Track - 10 members put out 2 car loads of stone on the north and south mainline switches at TOM. Jason and Joe spent some time figuring adjustments for the north switch. Two more car loads of stone were loaded at Sheepscot to prepare for the start of the WW tomorrow.
* Chow - Fred baked some pies for the weekend.
* Garage - Bay 2 was cleaned and a few more things were sorted. There are lots of nice slotted wood screws and square head bolts from the mill.
* Motive Power - Bob prepared #10 for work, this included loading kindling and filling the boiler and tender tank.
* RC4 - Jason road tested the railcar, using it for the afternoon track crew transport to TOM.
* Coach 8 - Bill Baskerville brought 6 new window sashes that he made over the Winter. They will be installed as time allows.
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Posting for Sue Longo:
Attention Upcoming Work Weekend Volunteers...
In order to avoid missing out on lunch or dinner, please note the following:
Lunch on Saturday is delivered to the north end from the train leaving Sheepscot around 11:30. To guarantee yourself a sandwich, please come to the house at 11:00 if you are NOT leaving Sheepscot
Please note that dinner is served about 5 PM. We do ring the bell but it is not always heard.
"Come and get it!"
The Food Crew
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Pictures from Friday.
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Nice pictures Brendan. Here's a short recap of today:
Work done Friday, April 24th - Work Weekend day 1 (day 3 for some of us)
* Track - Per Brendan's photos, much progress with ballasting the track at TOM. The process took a bit of special train dispatching with stone being loaded out of two stations, Sheepscot and Alna Center. Dean's bobcat loader went to AC and getting it there was something. The unit was unloaded at the Alna Fire station and driven up 218 to Averill Road. Next, three snow drifts had to be cut through to get the machine to AC. Once done Dean was quick loading stone. Steve Z. loaded cars at Sheepscot until that stone pile ran out. The track crew made quick work of spreading stone. Switch work included making plates to adjust the height.
* Shop building - The damaged siding (from the snow plow) was repaired with new boards.
* #9 - Wayne and crew worked on the smokebox screen. Note: the original smokebox was re-attached to the old boiler as well.
* Car storage building - Zack and crew raised the east side staging planks to be ready to set the trusses. Bracing was added to correct out of plumb frames.
* Garage - Josh R. wired an new 20 amp service into the building.
* Kitchen - Sue, Nancy Weeks, Barb, Dawn and others did a nice job preparing meals for everyone. Other people made things and sent them for the day. Kathy's homemade donuts were wicked good.
* Information - Brendan made a notice board that listed all the projects and the team leader. The board is on the front of the rest room where people can check it as they enter the complex.
About 50 people signed the book. There were a few smaller projects and we may highlight some of them later.
It was a very productive day!
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* Information - Brendan made a notice board that listed all the projects and the team leader. The board is on the front of the rest room where people can check it as they enter the complex.
Great! I'm bringing some newbie volunteers tomorrow and want to make sure they're busy.
-John
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There's something on the board about burying a phone line. ;D
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Stewart, Great to hear that the original smokebox was re-attached to the old boiler. Hope the weather will hold too. Thanks for the great up date. Fred L. Kuhns
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Work done Saturday, April 25th - Work Weekend Day 2:
* Track - Dana's crew made much progress at TOM. The mainline is tamped up through the north switch and half of the siding has been tamped. A new (Baltimore) switchstand was pulled from storage at Sheepscot and taken up to TOM for use on the siding cross-over.
* Coach 8 - Six new window sashes were installed.
* Engine 9 - Wayne's crew worked on fitting the smokebox out with a smoke shelf and cinder screen.
* Shop Building - Some of the east side windows were removed, cleaned and primed.
* Bay 3 - The faulty hydrant was dug out and replaced. This required hand excavation of about 6 feet which took a number of hours.
* Media - The sound technician from Blue Berry Radio Group recorded the whistle and bell sounds from #10. The sounds will be used in upcoming radio ads.
* Firewood - About two cords of wood was split and stacked in the Sheepscot Yard wood rack.
* Operations - A training session was held for volunteers on how to use the new crew availability web site. Afterward, a rules class was held in the Percival house dining room.
* Kitchen - The crew prepared more wonderful meals for lunch and supper. Much thanks to our dedicated kitchen crew!
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Saturday pics
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Also of note, I staked out the rough center line for the next 800 feet, This stretch uncludes the first wash out, which is about 600 feet from the current end of track
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Absolutely FABULOUS work and coverage!
Except for all the trees, 52, the car mover and that incredible tamper, I'da thunk it was the first Transcon heading for Promontory Point in1869. ;D
Not to be pushy or anything, but now when does mainline extension work resume ? ::)
Train's Jim Wrinn needs to visit WW&F.
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Is there a plan in place for filling the huge wash out?
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Work done Sunday, April 26th - day 3 of the Spring Work Weekend:
Over 50 people signed the book. The weather was a mix of clouds and a little sun with a couple misty showers which didn't keep the volunteers from getting more work done.
* Track - We finished tamping the siding and cross over track. We built 72' of new track at the end of the siding and put ballast on it. The siding switch got more work and the crew dressed the siding stone after tamping. One piece of original rail was put at the end of the siding. The rail was found in the woods when we cleared TOM a few years ago. A couple of original spikes that we found were used to secure the rail. The trackage at TOM looks great and is about ready for service with only a bit more switch work needed.
* Engine 9 got more work on a number of parts.
* Shop building - The rest of the east side window sashes were cleaned and primed.
* Comm - John M. and his telephone helper Joseph traced the line at TOM to find a fault.
* Kitchen - The crew put on another great lunch which was much appreciated by the hungry crews. New today was a menu board with some interesting displays.
There are many people who made the weekend a great success. Much was accomplished thanks to a great bunch of dedicated folks. Extra thanks to Dean Copeland who brought his bobcat loader up from Mass, it was a big help loading stone at AC. This work helped keep the track crew well supplied for 3 days. Dana did his usual job of keeping everyone working on various parts as the track work progressed. Sue spent many hours making sure that everything was set to feed a large number of people. There were many smaller projects and jobs but whether you worked a couple of hours or 5 days (like Fred and Zack did) we appreciate your dedication to rebuilding Maine history.
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Is there a plan in place for filling the huge wash out?
Of course there is Ira. Also a bunch of ideas, thoughts and conversations. One thing I have figured out, nothing is ever too big for us to get done. It will get done, no matter what it takes.
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Sunday pictures. I forgot my camera so these were all taken with my phone.
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The last two are from Thursday.
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Great phone photos, Brendan. Thanks.
Mike,
Is there a firm plan yet for the wash out?
I know there have been many discussions and I have even been in on a few.
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Not that I am aware of. But there is a wash out and there is a slide. The washout will need a culvert, preferably 3' steel being so deep. Then about 12-16 flatcars of gravel to fill the hole. Any gravel not used there can go in where the next crosspipe will go in, about 350 feet north. Then we get to deal with the slide. That will take some doing, but I think we can even deal with that.
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Thanks, Mike.
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Just like the water dept. figuring Super Bowl viewers ...
The WW&F trash crew can gauge the Spring Work Weekend. The last official part of the SWW was collecting trash today and the crew reported that 11 bags went to the dump. The record was 14 bags from the WW last Fall so by t.b. standards, the SWW was a resounding success. One request: water bottles and soda cans have a 5 cent redemption so please don't put them in the trash.
We will continue some of the projects this Summer and plan for a great Fall Work Weekend in October.
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I'll second that this was a great Spring Work Weekend. The food was amazing (Thank you kitchen crew!), and the work was great. Good meeting so many new folks and seeing old friends again. Thanks everyone for making it a success!
Take care,
Steve Piwowarski